Computer Operator, Mainframe
Salary

With nearly two in three of Mainframe Computer Operators in the United States reporting more than 10 years of experience in the field, this area is heavily weighted toward experienced professionals. Pay ranges from $30K to $67K per year and averages out to $46K per year. Job satisfaction for Mainframe Computer Operators is high. A large number report receiving medical coverage from their employers and a fair number collect dental insurance. Most Mainframe Computer Operators survey respondents are men (76 percent). The data in this summary comes from the PayScale salary survey.

XTotal Pay combines base annual salary or hourly wage, bonuses, profit sharing, tips, commissions, overtime pay and other forms of cash earnings, as applicable for this job. It does not include equity (stock) compensation, cash value of retirement benefits, or the value of other non-cash benefits (e.g. healthcare).

XTotal Pay combines base annual salary or hourly wage, bonuses, profit sharing, tips, commissions, overtime pay and other forms of cash earnings, as applicable for this job. It does not include equity (stock) compensation, cash value of retirement benefits, or the value of other non-cash benefits (e.g. healthcare).

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Job Description for Computer Operator, Mainframe

The very first computers were monstrous machines which filled warehouses; today's mainframes are the most direct surviving descendants of machines like ENIAC and, though they are exponentially faster and more capable (and often composed of many small machines working in tandem), the basic principle remains the same: dedicate a vast amount of computational power toward specific ends. Mainframe computer operators are responsible for putting these machines to work to solve whatever problems, or perform whatever tasks, which require such massive hardware to accomplish.

As skilled individuals who have an intimate understanding of computer systems, their work may include many responsibilities. In essence, they are translators in that they are given a task and must use their operational expertise to complete it using machinery. They must be proficient in the use of specialized hardware and software, both in the means of its operation and how to troubleshoot it when problems arise. They may work on teams or even supervise them; each individual employer has its own own array of responsibilities for the position. Because mainframes are utilized in almost all fields, from business to science and engineering, employers may search for variety of specializations among applicants.

To be a mainframe computer operator, one must have a strong grasp of computing principles and the resources he/she will be using. Employers typically prefer applicants who have an associate's degree or higher in a field such as computer science or information systems, as well as experience using a variety of hardware and software.

Computer Operator, Mainframe Tasks

Ensure the processes remain uninterrupted and the program jobs run as scheduled.

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Pay by Experience Level for Computer Operator, Mainframe

Median of all compensation (including tips, bonus, and overtime) by years of experience.

Folks with fewer than five years of experience take home $40K on average, and those who have worked for five to 10 years see a bigger median salary of $44K. People with 10 to 20 years of experience make an average of about $43K in this role. Average wages for folks with more than 20 years of experience come out to around $49K.